4

H.-__l

CHANGE OF NAME. The following changes of name were registered :— M.U.l.O.O.F.—Hokitika District to Westland District. U.A.O.D.—Lily of Burwood Lodge to Lily of Richmond Lodge (Grand Lodge of Canterbury). ANNUAL RETURNS. The furnishing of the annual returns of receipts and expenditure, sickness and mortality, by secretaries of societies and branches is not so prompt as it should be, particularly when it is considered that a fee is paid to secretaries for their trouble. A considerable sum is annually expended out of the Consolidated Fund for this service, the payment having been authorised for the purpose of inducing secretaries to render the returns in time for the figures therein to be tabulated and published for the use and benefit of societies and their members. The payment of the fees is in no way bound up with the legal obligation to render the returns ; and, whether or not payment be made, the returns must be furnished. It should be clearly understood that the fee is paid for prompt work, and it is not to be expected for returns received long after the legal date, and too late for inclusion in the annual report to Parliament. The comparative table hereunder shows that on the 31st March this year there were more returns outstanding than at the same date in 1909, and the increased number of central bodies who have offended in this respect is regrettable. The latitude allowed in the past is apparently not appreciated, and it will probably require an application of the penalising powers of the Act to bring about a change for the better.

Returns outstanding.

UNSOUND FINANCE. In my 1908 report I referred to the adoption in New Zealand by certain friendly societies of the special levy or assessment system of providing for death benefits. The Parliamentary Committee that investigated the proposed legislation of that year adduced much valuable information on this subject, and the evidence of the Actuary of the Department made it abundantly clear that no such haphazard method of providing for life assurance or death benefits can guarantee any security, and that a scale of contributions graduated according to age on the lines adopted by all New Zealand friendly societies for insuring their usual benefits affords the only satisfactory means of meeting their liabilities.

Same of Society. At 31st March, 1909. At 31st March, 1910. Central Body. Branches. i_ Central Body. I Branches. t ■ _ M.U.I.O.O.F., New Zealand Branch — Central Body Auckland District .. . ■ New Plymouth District . . .. ■ • | 1 Wanganui District .. . • ■ • ■ ■ Wellington District .. .. • • ■ • 1 Motueka District Westland District .. .. • • • • 1 Ashley District .. • • ■ ■ North Canterbury District Lyttelton District South Canterbury District Otago District l.O.O.P. of New Zealand . . .. • ■ I N.I.O.O.F. A.O.F.— Auckland District Hawke's Bay District .. • • • • * Taranaki District Wellington District Nelson District .. . . • • ■ • ' Canterbury United District .. .. ,. United Otago District .. ■ • ■ ■ 1 Court Coromandel U.A.O.D.— Grand Lodge of North Island of New Zealand Grand Lodge of Canterbury .. . • • ■ ! 1 Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland I.O.R.— New Zealand District New Zealand Central District .. .. . ■ 1 S.D.T.— National Division .. .. • ■ Separately registered divisions .. H.A.C.B.S : l P.A.F.S.A. .. .. •• •■ • • I.F.S., &c. .. • • • ■ 13 7 3 1 1 3 1 5 1 10 30 1 8 5 6 3 1 1 7 :: i i i 1 3 i 6 1 2 1 30 1 35 1 20 1 6 2 5 1 5 3 3 i 27 2 11 1 16 1 1 15 2 6 1 2 1 9 i 20 1 1 1 16 1 1 24 20 Total •■ •• n 189 Iβ 216 Grand total .. " .. ■ ■ 2i )0 2: !2 _L •